Remote control device and method of controlling other devices using the same

ABSTRACT

Provided is a method of controlling an electronic device by using a remote control device comprising a touch screen, the method including selecting one of a plurality of functions supported by the electronic device via the touch screen, sequentially displaying a plurality of user interfaces, usable for controlling the function selected with an input detected by the touch screen, one-by-one, and controlling the electronic device by using one of the plurality of user interfaces that are sequentially displayed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/481,978, which claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0104261, filed on Oct. 23, 2008, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate to a remote control device and a method of controlling other devices using the remote control device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recent electronic devices have remote control devices for remote controlling the electronic devices. For example, TVs, CD players, DVD players, and video recorders have their corresponding remote control devices. However, if each of the electronic devices has a remote control device different from the others, too many remote control devices for remote controlling the electronic devices are required. Thus, a universal remote control device is suggested to resolve the problem.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a universal remote control device according to related art.

Referring to FIG. 1, the universal remote control device according to the related art includes a touch screen 110 and buttons 120.

The touch screen 110 detects a touch, and displays user interfaces corresponding to each electronic device.

The buttons 120 include volume adjust buttons, channel switch buttons, directional buttons, etc.

Accordingly, a universal remote control device is capable of remote controlling various electronic devices by including the touch screen 110.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a remote control device and a method of controlling other devices using the same.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an electronic device by using a remote control device including a touch screen, the method including selecting one of a plurality of functions supported by the electronic device via the touch screen; sequentially displaying a plurality of user interfaces, usable for controlling the function selected with an input detected by the touch screen, one-by-one; and controlling the electronic device by using one of the plurality of user interfaces that are sequentially displayed.

The selected function may be a function of switching channels.

The plurality of user interfaces may include at least two of a user interface for switching channels up/down, a user interface for inputting channel numbers, and a user interface for displaying a list of channels.

A user interface, which is either the most frequently used user interface or a user interface designated by a user in advance, may be displayed first in the displaying of the plurality of user interfaces.

The input detected by the touch screen may be performed by touching the touch screen.

The input detected by the touch screen may be performed by sliding from a first location to a second location across the touch screen.

A user interface for controlling a function relevant to a task currently performed by the electronic device may be further displayed when the plurality of user interfaces are sequentially displayed one-by-one.

When the task is completed, a user interface for controlling a function relevant to the task may be no longer displayed in the displaying of the plurality of user interfaces.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a remote control device for controlling an electronic device, the remote control device including a touch screen which detects an input for selecting one of a plurality of functions supported by the electronic device and sequentially displays a plurality of user interfaces for controlling the selected function one-by-one each time an input in a predetermined form is detected; and a control unit which controls the electronic device by using one of the plurality of user interfaces that are sequentially displayed.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing a method of controlling an electronic device by using a remote control device including a touch screen, the method including selecting one of a plurality of functions supported by the electronic device via the touch screen; sequentially displaying a plurality of user interfaces, usable for controlling the function selected with an input detected by the touch screen, one-by-one; and controlling the electronic device by using one of the plurality of user interfaces that are sequentially displayed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a universal remote control device according to related art;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of controlling an electronic device by using a remote control device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing a method of operating a remote control device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a method of operating a remote control device, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a method of operating a remote control device, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a remote control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by explaining exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of controlling an electronic device by using a remote control device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In operation 210, one of a plurality of functions supported by the electronic device is selected via a touch screen.

Here, the electronic device that can be controlled by using a remote control device may be a TV, a CD player, a DVD player, a video recorder, etc.

Also, according to another exemplary embodiment, an operation of selecting an electronic device to be remote controlled from among a plurality of electronic devices may further be performed.

In operation 220, according to a touch detected by the touch screen, a plurality of user interfaces, which can be used for controlling a function selected with the touch, are sequentially displayed one-by-one.

In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary function supported by the electronic device may be a channel switching function; however, the present invention is not limited thereto and thus the functions supported by the electronic device can be other functions.

Furthermore, the touch screen may display the most frequently used user interface first from among a plurality of user interfaces. Additionally, the touch screen may display a predetermined user interface first, according to a user configuration.

For example, a user interface for controlling a channel switching function of a TV may include a user interface for switching channels up/down, a user interface for inputting specific channel numbers, a user interface for displaying a list of channels, etc. Here, in the case where the user interface for inputting specific channel numbers is the most frequently used user interface, the user interface for inputting specific channel numbers may be displayed first with respect to the channel switching function.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one of a plurality of user interfaces for controlling selected functions is displayed on the entire touch screen, as described above. Thus, a user can operate a remote control device easier than the prior art in which a user interface for controlling all functions supported by an electronic device is displayed on the entire touch screen.

In operation 230, the electronic device is controlled by using one of a plurality of user interfaces sequentially displayed one-by-one.

For example, a user can change a channel of a TV by using one of a plurality of user interfaces for controlling a channel switching function.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing a method of operating a remote control device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, first through third user interfaces 310, 320, and 330 for controlling a channel switching function of a TV are displayed on a touch screen of the remote control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The first user interface 310 is a user interface for switching channels of a TV up/down. When a user touches a region “CH+” displayed on the touch screen of the remote control device, a current channel is switched to a higher channel. When a user touches a region “CH−” displayed on the touch screen of the remote control device, a current channel is switched to a lower channel.

The second user interface 320 is a user interface for inputting specific channel numbers. A user can switch channels of a TV by inputting specific channel numbers by using number regions displayed on the touch screen of the remote control device.

The third user interface 330 is a user interface for displaying a list of channels supported by a TV. A user can switch channels of the TV by selecting one of the channels in the displayed list of channels.

At this point, a user may switch user interfaces displayed on the touch screen by sliding the finger from the left to the right across the touch screen of the remote control device, as shown in FIG. 3.

The action of sliding the finger in a predetermined direction across a touch screen is called ‘rubbing.’ For example, when the first user interface 310 is displayed on the touch screen, if a user rubs the touch screen to the right, the second user interface 320 is displayed on the touch screen.

Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment, user interfaces from the first user interface 310 to the third user interface 330 are sequentially displayed on the touch screen every time a user rubs the touch screen. At this point, in an exemplary embodiment, if a user rubs the touch screen when the third user interface 330 is displayed, the first user interface 310 is displayed again. Accordingly, the first through third user interfaces 310, 320 and 330 are recursively displayed.

Also, according to another exemplary embodiment, a menu for switching user interfaces to be displayed on the touch screen may further be displayed on the touch screen, other than the first through third user interfaces 310, 320 and 330.

For example, although not shown in FIG. 3, menus indicated by texts such as “previous” and “next” may further be displayed in the topmost or the bottommost region of the touch screen.

If the second user interface 320 is displayed on the touch screen with the menus, as described above, a user may touch the “previous” menu to display the first user interface 310 on the touch screen or touch the “next” menu to display the third user interface 313 on the touch screen.

However, the menus described above are not limited thereto, and may include all types of menus for instructing to switch between a current user interface and another user interface. For example, the menus may be graphically indicated such as with arrows.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a method of operating a remote control device, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, first through third user interfaces 410, 420, and 430 for controlling a channel switching function and a fourth user interface 440 for setting up digital broadcast environments are displayed on a touch screen of the remote control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Here, the first through third user interfaces 410, 420, and 430 correspond to the first through third user interfaces 310, 320, and 330, as described above, respectively, and thus, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted here.

The fourth user interface 440 is a user interface for setting up digital broadcast environments, and is displayed in the case where content broadcasted on a channel switched by a user is digital broadcast content.

Accordingly, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a user interface for controlling a function relevant to a task currently performed by an electronic device can further be displayed with the first through third user interfaces 410, 420, and 430 for controlling a selected function.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the case where, while a user watches a digital broadcast, it is necessary to input characters regarding the digital broadcast, the touch screen may further display a user interface via which the user can input characters, other than the fourth user interface 440 for setting up digital broadcast environments.

Furthermore, the first through fourth user interfaces 410, 420, 430, and 440 are recursively displayed as in the previously discussed exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a method of operating a remote control device, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, first through fifth user interfaces 510, 520, 530, 540, and 550 for controlling a channel switching function of a TV and a sixth user interface 560 for setting up digital broadcast environments are displayed on a touch screen of the remote control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Here, the first, the second, the fifth, and the sixth user interfaces 510, 520, 550, and 560 correspond to the first through fourth user interfaces 310, 320, 330, and 340, as described above, respectively. Thus, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The third user interface 530 of FIG. 5 is a user interface for displaying a list of preferred channels. Since a user selects a channel from a list of channels, which are preferred by the user, displayed on the touch screen, the user can easily select a channel to watch.

The fourth user interface 540 is a user interface for displaying the history of channel selections. A user can select one of the channels the user has previously watched from the history of channel selections displayed on the touch screen.

Also, in an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, rubbing can be performed in both directions as compared to the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4 in which rubbing has only been shown to be performed in one direction.

For example, the first user interface 510 is displayed on the touch screen if a user rubs the user interface 520 to the left, or the third user interface 530 is displayed on the touch screen if the user rubs the user interface 520 to the right.

However, the directions of rubbing are not limited to horizontal directions, and rubbing may be performed in vertical directions or diagonal directions according to exemplary embodiments.

Also, according to another exemplary embodiment, from among the first through sixth user interfaces 510 through 560 shown in FIG. 5, a user interface with respect to functions not required for a task currently performed by an electronic device may not be displayed on the touch screen.

For example, in the case where content broadcasted on a channel switched by a user is not digital broadcast content, the sixth user interface 560, which is a user interface for setting up digital broadcast environments, may not be displayed. Therefore, in such cases, the first user interface 510 may be displayed instead of the sixth user interface 560, if a user rubs the fifth user interface 550 to the right.

Furthermore, in the case of a situation that a user needs to input characters while the user is watching a digital broadcast and thus a user interface for inputting characters is further displayed, the user interface for inputting characters may be no longer displayed when the situation is over.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a remote control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the remote control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a touch screen 610 and a control unit 620.

The touch screen 610 detects an input for selecting one of a plurality of functions supported by an electronic device. Each time an input in a predetermined form is detected, the touch screen 610 sequentially displays a plurality of user interfaces one-by-one for controlling a function selected with the input.

At this point, the input in a predetermined form may be either touching the touch screen 610 or sliding from a first location to a second location across the touch screen 610, that is, rubbing.

The control unit 620 controls the electronic device by using one of the plurality of user interfaces sequentially displayed on the touch screen 610.

For example, when an input for instructing a TV to switch a current channel to a channel of which the number is higher than that of the current channel is detected via the touch screen 610, the control unit 620 controls the TV by transmitting a control instruction instructing the TV to switch the current channel to the channel of which the number is higher than that of the current channel.

The exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be written as computer programs and can be implemented in general-use digital computers that execute the programs using a computer readable recording medium. Examples of the computer readable recording medium include magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, floppy disks, hard disks, etc.), and optical recording media (e.g., CD-ROMs, or DVDs).

Alternatively, other exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be written as computer programs and can be implemented in general-use digital computers that execute the programs using a computer readable recording medium, the computer readable recording medium being a storage media such as carrier waves (e.g., transmission through the Internet).

While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The exemplary embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by the detailed description of the invention but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of controlling an electronic device by using a remote control device comprising a touch screen, the method comprising: detecting a user input for selecting one of a plurality of user interfaces for switching channels, the plurality of user interfaces for switching channels comprising a user interface for switching channels up and down and at least one of a user interface for inputting channel number and a user interface for displaying a list of channels; displaying the selected user interface on the touch screen; and transmitting a control signal to the electronic device according to an input via the selected user interface, wherein the user interface for switching channels up and down comprises a first region displayed on the touch screen of the remote control device that when touched is configured to transmit a channel up signal, and a second region displayed on the touch screen of the remote control device that when touched is configured to transmit a channel down signal.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in response to an input, sequentially displaying each user interface of the plurality of user interfaces for switching channels on the touch screen according to a predetermined sequence.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the list of channels includes at least one of a list of all channels supported by the electronic device, a list of preferred channels and a list of history of channel selection.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the input detected by the touch screen is generated by sliding while maintaining touch from a first location to a second location across the touch screen.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein a task user interface which controls a function relevant to a task currently performed by the electronic device is further displayed on the touch screen
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein, when the task is completed, the task user interface is no longer displayed on the touch screen.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying a user interface for controlling a function of the electronic device other than switching channels.
 8. The method of claim 7, the user interface for controlling a function of the electronic device comprises at least one of a user interface for inputting characters, and a user interface for setting configurations of the electronic device.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising: in response to an input, sequentially displaying at least one of the plurality of user interfaces for switching channels and the user interface for controlling a function of the electronic device other than switching channels according to a predetermined sequence.
 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising: displaying a menu for returning to a previous user interface on the touch screen.
 11. A remote control device for controlling an electronic device, the remote control device comprising: a touch screen which detects an input for selecting one of a plurality of user interfaces for switching channels, the plurality of user interfaces for switching channels comprising a user interface for switching channels up and down and at least one of a user interface for inputting channel number and a user interface for displaying a list of channels; and a transmitting unit which transmits a control signal to the electronic device according to an input via the selected user interface displayed on the touch screen, wherein the user interface for switching channels up and down comprises a first region displayed on the touch screen of the remote control device that when touched is configured to transmit a channel up signal, and a second region displayed on the touch screen of the remote control device that when touched is configured to transmit a channel down signal.
 12. The remote control device of claim 11, wherein in response to the detected input, the touch screen displays each user interface of the plurality of user interfaces for switching channels according to a predetermined sequence.
 13. The remote control device of claim 11, wherein the list of channels includes at least one of a list of all channels supported by the electronic device, a list of preferred channels and a list of history of channel selection.
 14. The remote control device of claim 11, wherein the input detected by the touch screen is generated by sliding while maintaining touch from a first location to a second location across the touch screen.
 15. The remote control device of claim 11, wherein the touch screen further displays a task user interface which controls a function relevant to a task currently performed by the electronic device
 16. The remote control device of claim 11, wherein, when the task is completed, the touch screen no longer displays the task user interface.
 17. The remote control device of claim 11, further comprising: displaying a user interface for controlling a function of the electronic device other than switching channels.
 18. The remote control device of claim 17, the user interface for controlling a function of the electronic device comprises at least one of a user interface for inputting characters, and a user interface for setting configurations of the electronic device.
 19. The remote control device of claim 17, further comprising: in response to the detected input, sequentially displaying at least one of the plurality of user interfaces for switching channels and the user interface for controlling a function of the electronic device other than switching channels according to a predetermined sequence.
 20. The remote control device of claim 17, further comprising: displaying a menu for returning to a previous user interface on the touch screen.
 21. A non-transitory computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program configured to cause a remote control device for controlling an electronic device to perform operations comprising: detecting a user input for selecting one of a plurality of user interfaces for switching channels. the plurality of user interfaces for switching channels comprising a user interface for switching channels up and down and at least one of a user interface for inputting channel number and a user interface for displaying a list of channels; displaying the selected user interface on the touch screen; and transmitting a control signal to the electronic device according to an input via the selected user interface, wherein the user interface for switching channels up and down comprises a first region displayed on the touch screen of the remote control device that when touched is configured to transmit a channel up signal, and a second region displayed on the touch screen of the remote control device that when touched is configured to transmit a channel down signal.
 22. The computer readable recording medium of claim 21, wherein the list of channels includes at least one of a list of all channels supported by the electronic device, a list of preferred channels and a list of history of channel selection.
 23. The computer readable recording medium of claim 21, further comprising: displaying a user interface for controlling a function of an electronic device other than switching channels.
 24. The computer readable recording medium of claim 23, further comprising: in response to the detected input, sequentially displaying at least one of the plurality of user interfaces for switching channels and the user interface for controlling a function of the electronic device other than switching channels according to a predetermined sequence.
 25. The computer readable recording medium of claim 23, further comprising: displaying a menu for returning to a previous user interface on the touch screen.
 26. A system comprising: an electronic device configure to receive a control signal from a remote control device and perform a plurality of functions including switching channels; and a remote control device including a touch screen which detects an input for selecting one of a plurality of user interfaces for switching channels and a transmitting unit which transmits a control signal to the electronic device according to an input via the selected user interface displayed on the touch screen, wherein the plurality of user interfaces for switching channels comprising a user interface for switching channels up and down and at least one of a user interface for inputting channel number and a user interface for displaying a list of channels; and wherein the user interface for switching channels up and down comprises a first region displayed on the touch screen of the remote control device that when touched is configured to transmit a channel up signal, and a second region displayed on the touch screen of the remote control device that when touched is configured to transmit a channel down signal. 